2: Social Enterprise

Across Divides

In this episode we explore the meaning of social enterprise as a business for social good. We look at community ownership, the involvement of young people, and the role of social enterprise in developing an all-island economy. Knowledge sharing between organisations and jurisdictions is key in building the potential of social enterprise, with learning taking place between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and further afield. Crucially, we look at the reasons why now is the moment for the social economy, especially as part of the recovery from Covid-19.

Guests

Dr Andrew Forde is the principal officer for the development and implementation of Our Rural Future, Ireland’s National Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025 and the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland, 2019 – 2022. He Chairs the National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group and is the Irish government’s representative on the European Commission Expert Group on the Social Economy (GECES).

Chris Gordon is the CEO and founder of the Irish Social Enterprise Network and the former director of Social Enterprise NI. He is an adjunct professor at Trinity College Dublin and sits on the National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group.

Colin Jess is the director of Social Enterprise NI. He previously worked in banking for 30 years and now sits on the ​​council of the NI chamber of commerce.

Adrian Bird has worked in community regeneration for over 20 years. He is the director and was a founding member of Resurgam Trust, a social enterprise based in Lisburn. He also chairs Lisburn PSP, an organisation that is rooted in community safety and transformation.

Links

Youth Ambassador for Social Enterprise Northern Ireland